Tag Archives: #superstition

Broken Mirrors

Text:

If you break a mirror, you are guaranteed 7 years of bad luck.

Context:

This superstition is said to originate from Ancient Greek and Roman beliefs that reflections hold parts of the soul. Therefore, if a reflection is broken, the soul too is broken, and requires seven years to heal. This informant heard this belief all throughout life, from family, friends, adults, etc.

Analysis:

This superstition is an example of a belief standing the test of time. It is rooted in fear and dark themes (bad luck, etc.), but has persisted and been passed down through time and generations.

Birds Spell Death

Text:

Apparently, if a bird flies into your home, it means death is near.

Context:

Informant was told this as a child, but was not given much reason as to why. It simply was a sign of death.

Analysis:

This superstition was passed down without much information, but it stuck. It, like many other superstitions, takes a strange occurrence and equates it with tragedy.

Frozen Faces

Text:

Parents would tell their children that if they make funny faces too much, their faces will be stuck like that forever.

Context:

The informant was told this as a child, and noted that it was said generally either in jest or as a light way to discourage them from being immature/disrespectful and making faces all the time. They also carried this on and said it occasionally to their own child, though mostly in teasing.

Analysis:

This phrase was and is used by parents as a funny but somewhat “scary” way of keeping their children from making faces all the time. It shows how certain beliefs are born from ways of keeping children in check rather than innately from fact or fear.

Smelling Flowers

Text:

If you smell flowers, but there are none around, it is a sign that death is near.

Context:

This is a superstition the informant was told often at various points in their life, and still moderately believes to this day.

Analysis:

This superstition is actually a variation of a similar superstition, in which smelling flowers when there are none means a departed loved one paid you a visit. It is likely they originate from similar points, as they both relate to the same action and to death in some way.